In my dream, I’m running down a narrow alleyway, tall buildings on either side of me. I can’t see what’s chasing me, and I can’t remember how I got there. Suddenly there’s a dead end, but I’m not in some city. I’m in the middle of the woods, backing up into some large tree. Whoever’s chasing me shoots something at me, but I jump out of the way just in time. I watch the tree disintegrate, and keep running. The forest turns into a beach, and the sand slows me down. Whatever’s chasing me can’t step on the beach, and I’m about to cheer in victory when I slump down in extreme pain. I lie on my back, clutching my stomach. Somehow, during my chase I didn’t notice I was nine months pregnant. I didn’t have time to ask why, or wonder who the father is, before the monster chasing me breaks through the barrier. Something long, thick and pointy flies out of nowhere, and is about to plunge itself into my heart when I hear screaming that isn’t my own.

“LILA! LILA WAKE UP!”

“AHH!” I sit up so fast I knock heads with Percy, who was leaning over me.

“Lila, are you ok? It’s just a dream. Remember, it’s just a dream.” Percy sits on the edge of my bed and hugs me.

“What- what happened? What was that thing?”

“I don’t know, I wasn’t there, but I know enough about demigod dreams.”

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes. Demigods tend to have dreams about the future, present, or past. They’re terrifying, but sometimes they can be helpful, once you get past the initial fear.”

“I don’t think I can do that.” I can feel myself shaking. I look up, and Percy’s already dressed. The sun is up and shining. “What time is it?”

“You have about five minutes before breakfast.” Percy smiles kindly, but older-brotherly. “I tried to wake you up as fast as i could. Get dressed and I’ll meet you down at the pavillion. Also, you should get your stuff together.” Right. I’m leaving camp today. Once Percy’s out of the cabin, I start to undress. From the wardrobe I pull out a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and some combat boots and get dressed. I quickly pack a pair of shorts and another shirt in the quiver. After a second thought, I tie a light hoodie around the strap of the quiver, and leave it on my bed. I’ll come get it after breakfast.

Once I’m in the pavillion, I search for Adam, so I can avoid him. I don’t want him asking questions, and I have to talk to Nico before we leave. Ducking and turning away to avoid Adam, who do I bump into but Nico himself.

“Speak of the devil.” I stand up straight, and Nico looks at me, surprised. “Well, I guess I should say talk about the death child, or something clever, but I’m not that clever. Anyways, I was looking for you, I have to tell you something.”

“Me too, actually.” Nico is whispering, and he backs up, quickly moving aside and away from the main area.

“Really? Ok, but can I go first?” I ask, staring skeptically at Nico as he crouches down next to a tree. He takes my hand and pulls me down with him, despite the weird shock. I noticed that for some reason, when I bump into him, we don’t feel the shock. Maybe it’s because it only lasts a second, I don’t know. I’m not familiar with the rules of ‘the clashing of magic auras’.

“Uh, sure, ok.” He looks nervous, but that can’t be it.

“Thanks. So, Percy thought my little ‘quest’ should have three people, because that’s the usual amount. The ‘lucky number’ I guess. Whatever. Anyways, if you’re still going with me, then it’s you, me, and… Adam.” Nico looks surprised at the way I kind of spit out Adam’s name. “Ok, glad I got that off my chest. I was afraid you were going to have a bad reaction to that. So, what were you going to say?”

“Uhh, nothing. Forget it.” I might be wrong, but is Nico DiAngelo actually getting nervous?

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Let’s just eat then get ready. Wait, does Adam know I’m coming, too?”

“Well, no. But I don’t think he’ll mind.” I stand up, and start to walk back down, but not before I hear what Nico mutters in response.

“He wouldn’t mind anything you say or do, he’s practically in love.” That stops me in my tracks, but I roll my eyes and try to ignore it. Too bad I can’t. Woah! Nico crashes into me, because he didn’t realize I wasn’t walking. I fall forward, caught by surprise, but I don’t hit the ground. I look back at Nico, who grabbed my left hand, turned me around, and put his other arm around my waist, pulling me in to support me. Yeah. So there we stood, positioned as if we were about to ballroom dance.

“Thanks.” I breathe, unable to break eye contact. He stares at me, and almost smiles, but that’s when we feel it. The shock. Both our hands, including the one on my waist, send a static shock through our body. It probably only lasted a second, but it raced through my body like adrenaline. It still fucking hurt, of course. Nico immediately drops his hands.

“Uh, yeah. Anyways, next time you should warn me before I crash into you.”

“Then there wouldn’t be a next time,” I point out. Nico rolls my eyes, probably thinking about how much of a ‘know-it-all’ I am. Which I’m not.

“C’mon. Let’s go eat, then break the news to Adam.” Nico almost takes my hand to pull me down to the dining pavillion, when he stops short, reminding himself about what happens when we touch. He turns around and walks down, in front of me this time, and I just stare at the back of his head. I’m never going to admit this again, but I can’t ignore the girly thought about how there are legitimate sparks every time Nico and I touch.

What the fuck does that mean?